River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-04-14

4
wered. "It is not safe for any of us If she
stays
Mdme, Delbruyek was impressed by my
look and tone.
She evidently saw that something serious
had occurred
(which room is she in !''
monsieur"
where is the keyln
1T is in the door. Come monsieur"
Mdme. Delbrack's activity was not on a
par with her zeal IL my service, and still
less on par with my anxiety.
''Never mind. can find the room"
You cannot miss 1t, - she said, painting,
and glad to escape any more climbing. lit
is at the very tOp-the door facing yOu.n
THANK you. Wait at the foot of the
stairs
l took the light which she brought out,
and hurried up stairs. They were steep,
and took short turns round massive oaken
posts, which tllrew grim shadows as i car
rled the light. There We're small windows
on the chief landings, through which the
wind came freely, so that / had to take
some care 70 shelter the flame, for did not
fancy ascending with so important an OBJ
iect, with the chance Of being disabled by
a fall. Ghostl, and cobwebby was the
ascent, and dismal and dilapidated the top
landing, where l stood at last outside the
roors which held my treasure.
the key was in the lock.
knocked gently, and then turned the
key.
With quickly-beating heart 1 opened
the door.
Mary"
She stood as pale as death, with one
hand resting on the back of the chair from
which she had risen, the other raised in
wonder or fear.
Thought she was about 70 faint.
"Mary, have come to take you away
from hereto friends, TO safety"
f.ssaN IL g..
she gave a cry, a sudden sob and sprang
toward me. The strength of simple, un-
questioning love could not have been more
sweetly or more strikingly shown. Sur
prise, fear, joy, every other emotion was
postponed, and trust-implicit frustrating
the cue of immediate action from my looks,
was all that she showed.
For one moment she rested on my arms.
'My darling, come quickly!" said.
took up wrap which lay on the bed,
and folded it round her. She put her little
hand in mine; left my lamp on the table,
and we began to descend the stairs.
Quietly and slowly we made our way.
When we reached the bottom of the sec
ond fight she stopped me, and l could see
one white hand held up in the attitude of
listening.
"Harkp'
heard from below the sound of voices
in excited talk-the voice of Mdme. Del
bruyck, of Georges, of the Basilisk.
pressed her hand, and we preceded
another stage. Had all been discovereds
/ was not long in doubt.
Come" said the Basilisk, in her hardest
tones. IF he ever gets out alive, it is all
up with you"
Then there was a hoarse laugh, and
''Be easy, mademoisele: they viii not get
away alive" And steps came up the stairs.
swung my hfe-preserver, to get it nicely
balanced.
Mary stood by me and held my left hand.
/ looked in her face. 1t was face of fear,
but the glorious trust was still beaming
from those beautiful eyes. We stood OPP
pOsite an open window, through which the
fresh strong wind was blowing freely. Its
breath spoke of life-of liberty. 1t should
not be we who would not leave the place
alive. The steps came nearer-a light elias
tic tread, and the rustic of woman's robe,
followed by the laboured steps of a heavy
man. They were bringing light 1t be-
gan to flicker and waver about, and throw
herald beams of danger close to where we
were standing.
"Step Lightly said the Basilisk.
'They won't hear,n said the man; "they
will be love making"
We shrank well back behizd the project
ing oaken post, 1 resolved TO fell Georges
without mercy the moment he saw us, and
the Basilisk would, / judged, be for the time
powerless. could feel Mary trembling in
every limb The steps of our enemies were
close to US.
sThree more flights" said the man. As
he spoke the pair were for a moment visi-
BILE. The Basilisk, with white set face, held
in one hand lamp, in the other revolver.
Georges, a big, bnllet-headed ruffian, car
ried long knife. Two steps more and
they must see us. With roar and rush
violent gust of wind streamed through
the window, and all was pitchy dark. The
Basilisk's lamp was blown out.
Come on" Missed the Basilisk. "You
know the housep
And slowly and cautiously, yet with a
good deal of stumbling and noise they con
tinued their ascent.
'Now' l whispered, when they reached
the next landing.
And. hand-in- hand, we recommended our
journey. We went faster than they did,
and could already feel the wind from the
open door at the foot of the stairs, when an
angry roar above showed that our flight
was discovered.
roared Georges, and we heard his heavy
feet coming down two and three steps at q
time.
Then we made rush for it.
/ saw the old bag, with face full of fury,
dart at the door which closed the exit
from the stairs. She was not quick enough.
Ere it could slam was against it with all
NV force and Mdme Delbruyck was rolled
over, a confused and battered mass of in
iquity. Mary jumped the last few steps, or
seemed to fly, rather, like a bird into my
arms. / swung her into the little court
yard With the fury of murder in his eyes,
Georges was upon US, his long knife glitter
ing, up aised. Two steps took Mary into
the street, as Georges struck madly at me
with the knife. Too late by second OF
two. Full on his bullet head the loaded
stick came down. Over he rolled coming
with superfiuous force against the wall,
and the long knife shot out of his hand,
through the gateway, and went jingling
over the cObble-stOnes right across the
street. We hurried away, and in five min
utes l had hailed fiacre, and was jOlting
towards the Hotel st. Antoine, with Mary
FOrtescue in a dead faint in my arms.
ITO BE CONTINUED